"Romania fulfills the conditions for accession to the Schengen Area"

Producer: Mira Gombos - "Romania fulfills the conditions for accession to the Schengen Area", said the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, at a joint press conference with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciuca, visiting Stockholm. He reiterated that the Schengen issue remains on the agenda of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which ends in the middle of this year.

Reporter: In addition to strengthening the cooperation between Romania and Sweden in political, economic and sectoral terms, accession to Schengen was another much-discussed topic in Stockholm, stated Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, saying that the current Swedish presidency of the Council of the European Union actively supports the process of enlargement, trying to identify constructive solutions to remove this blockage.

Nicolae Ciuca: Romania is not part of the migration problem in Europe, but it is certainly part of the solution. Romania already responsibly ensures the protection of the second largest land border of the European Union.

Reporter: Romania already fulfills the conditions for joining the Schengen Area, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in turn. We remind you that not far from yesterday he met with the chancellor of Austria, a country that has spoken against Romania's accession to the Schengen Area. Asked if Austrian Prime Minister Karl Nehammer had changed his mind, Ulf Kristersson clarified.

Ulf Kristersson: The simple answer is no, he hasn't changed his mind. We will do everything in our power to mediate these discussions and, I repeat, we, the Swedish side, are in favor of Romania's accession to Schengen. I think there is an expectation from the European Council that this matter will be resolved within this year.

Translated by: Radu Matei